April 26

“Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.” — 2 TIMOTHY 1:12

I sometimes hear people talk about a ‘cringe factor’ they experience in being a Christian. If we feel embarrassed by some aspect of Christian truth because it stands in contrast with conventional ideas, we are tempted to alter or overlook it so as to make it acceptable. We may be well motivated in our desire to be relevant, but we are misguided. In reducing any part of the uniqueness of Christian truth, we do not strengthen it but weaken it.

We may try to reduce Christianity to the lowest common denominator with the world and end up with Christ as the One who serves our needs, fulfills our aspirations and endorses our values. We may feel good about that, but there’s nothing transformational in this kind of Gospel for it affirms most of everything we already hold dear. It doesn’t address the root of human alienation from God, and the corruptness of the human heart. It doesn’t address the wrath of God that was so fully satisfied in the cross of Christ, and it does not bring us into union with Christ. We simply coast along with no expectation of the work of God in our lives.

The Gospel is confrontational because it is transformational. If there is no confrontation there will be no transformation. When we treat the Gospel as the spiritual dimension of the culture we live in, we’re aligning ourselves with worldly speculation and not the truth of God. If we’re reducing the Gospel to people we are trying to reach, relaying only the palatable parts, we do them an injustice and we shortchange God. People need to know they are sinners and that they need a Saviour. They need to know that in coming humbly to Christ and confessing their sin, they have one.

There is no doubt the Gospel is a costly one as it involves submitting all that we are and all that we have to Christ. He becomes Lord, sovereign in our lives, and in exchange, we receive His life with all the riches of heaven indwelt in Him. That is the adventure of the Christian life, and the Gospel everyone needs to hear.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I love the Gospel, but I have been concerned that in my witness for You, others will cringe, and may even reject it. Grant me the right words said in the right way at the right time that will open their hearts to your Spirit and draw them to You. Thank You, Lord.

TO REFLECT UPON: In my witness for Christ, have I reduced the Gospel in the hopes it will be more acceptable? What will I do next time?